"You know, Motosaki... Today has been amazing so far. We went out for breakfast, watched a movie together, and now this. I'm really enjoying this...today is just perfect," Naomi sighed softly, looking over at me, her eyes flashing a soft magenta hue.
I looked at Naomi then chuckled as I noticed a faint green silhouette standing behind Naomi, looking at the sky. I reached over to her and moved a strand of her hair from her face. "I'm glad you're enjoying today. I have more planned for us~"
"Really?" Naomi asked with a gasp, holding my arms lovingly, staring into my eyes engrossingly.
"No, he doesn't," A snarky tone sounded behind us.
Naomi and I looked behind us, noticing a woman with pale green hair standing behind us. We glanced at each other then back at the woman in front of us.
"Hello, Son of Mikoto and Erik. My name is Dr. Noxius Nagini," The woman introduced, her serpentine eyes glowing with interest.
Instinctively, I pushed Naomi behind me and stared at Nagini with caution, my eyes immediately discerning her. Nagini noticed I was studying her and chuckled softly at me, glancing behind me at Naomi with glowing pink-green eyes.
The green silhouette stared at Nagini, her figure shying away behind me. Nagini's eyes followed the silhouette with a smirk then she glanced at me, letting out an intrigued hum. She slipped her hands into her pockets then exhaled softly.
"I assume you have questions, such as...How do I know you? Well, it's simple. I can read you faster than you can discern me," Nagini said, her eyes shining as she began using her Insight upon me.
Naomi stared at Nagini with caution, wondering if I knew who she was and glanced at me to see my analytical gaze. "Motosaki..?"
My entire being had deemed Nagini a threat, yet I couldn't sense any spiritual energy within her which unnerved me. I took a step back then grabbed Naomi's hand, preparing to make my exit. As I turned around, Nagini was already in front of my view while taking a puff of her churchwarden.
"Going somewhere, Izuna? You're the living legend the news keeps talking about, and I've come to investigate you myself. The Infinity Council's talking about how there's one of God's elect in New Japan... allegedly, it's you," Nagini hummed, walking around me then reached out toward the green silhouette.
Immediately, I smacked her hand away from Naomi and Nanako then pushed her away from the two. "You can look, but you can not touch.."
Nagini dusted her lab coat off, her gaze lowering to her coat with a chuckle. "Now, I haven't had someone be so bold to shove me since August and maybe Hisumi when she's upset at me. Who do you think you are touching a goddess?"
"Goddess? There is no other God or Deity other than the Most High, Adonai. You false god, you dare try to ruin our date?" I accused, taking a defensive stance in front of Naomi.
Nagini shrugged her shoulders with a grin. "I know that I am not a real deity, but this 'false god' is regarded as the Valkyria Goddess, trademarked by me."
"Damn, this woman is ar-ro-gant. Like Jesus, how far up her ass is her head? Can you smell your bullcrap?" Naomi asked, crossing her arms and scoffing at Nagini.
"Say whatever you'd like...I was sent to retrieve you. Like it or not, you're coming with me," Nagini said, raising her hand and called for her Cross-like weapon, the seven branch Cross appearing behind her.
"Oh hell no, now I'm definitely not going with you," I said, taking out a carnival token from my pocket then threw it in the distance.
Nagini watched as Naomi and I warped away to my coin then sighed. "Why does Hisumi and this child have to make this hard for me. At least August was easygoing..."
"How about not threatening Mine annointed?"
"You bear your cross like a weapon..."
"I wasn't exactly threatening, but I'll try not to hurt him too badly," Nagini said, locking onto me in the distance then teleported.
{Chapter 37: The Wisewoman}
Naomi and I ran quickly through the outskirts of the carnival, reaching the Matsugaya country side with hastened steps. I pointed over to the cornfields then the two of us ran into the cornfields to hide, but Nagini's cross landed in front of me and released a shockwave.
Naomi and I grunted as we were thrown backwards by the shockwave, Naomi falling on her butt while I recovered upon one knee. I reached behind my sword, my angelic piece granting me my sword to defend myself and Naomi with.
"It seems like she's testing you. I wonder why she wishes to initiate combat at a moment like this," My angelic piece said, looking down at me then glanced ahead to see a white Queen piece standing before him.
"You're fast. Just not fast enough, Izuna," Nagini said, appearing in front of her cross and stared at me with intrigue as she noticed my sword.
Naomi stuck closely behind me, staring at Nagini with concern in her eyes. "What is going on..? Why is she attacking us?"
"I don't know, but go hide somewhere safe. I'll come find you," I said, looking back at Naomi.
Naomi nodded at me then hurried away from me and Nagini. As Naomi ran off, an angelic Rook moved over two spaces and castled with the massive King piece, the little pawn hurrying behind the protection of the Rook and King.
I readied my sword and stared at Nagini with Insight, trying my hardest to discern her while God's voice was silent in this moment. "What do you want from me?"
"Yesterday, Hisumi told me she was training you for becoming a Strijder. This is one case where being a normal human won't cut it, especially since this battle is spiritual. However, before I can make my judgement...I want to experiment with you!" Nagini said with a wide grin, holding her arms out with a challenge.
"Be warned, I know every martial arts under the sun. If you can land one hit on me, I'll give you the victory and I'll have nothing else to worry about. However, if the case is untrue...you're coming with me to Fujitori," Nagini proposed, smirking at me.
"Fine, I'll make this quick then!" I agreed then charged forward at my top speed with a wide arcing slash with my sword.
Nagini snapped her fingers, generation a dividing field around her which began slowing my sword down the closer it got to her. I grunted in shock as my attack seemed to stop mere centimeters away from her arm, my eyes widening slightly as my entire body began to vibrate.
"Nice try, but not good enough," Nagini snarked as she amplified her heart beat.
With one beat of her heart, she released a powerful shockwave around the area, the force of the blast blowing me away. I grunted as I rolled on my side before recovering on one knee again, looking up at Nagini with pure shock.
"What the heck..?" Naomi asked in disbelief, her body growing goosebumps as she watched.
"Didn't I tell you I was a Physical Goddess? My main specialties is Science, Biology, Chemistry, Astronomy, everything you can name about a scientist and researcher. You're gonna have to try harder if you want to win," Nagini said, tapping her chest and chuckled.
'What am I dealing with exactly..? She was holding back so much power... Is that why I can't sense her..? Her spiritual levels are that high..?' I asked mentally, standing up on my feet and felt goosebumps crawling along my arm.
I took a deep breath then exhaled slowly, detaching the side blades of my fusion sword then stuck the core sword into the ground. Throwing my sword forward, I warped toward it then threw it to the ground before launching a roundhouse kick.
Nagini ducked under my kick then tracked my next warp with her eyes, leaning up to dodge my uppercut. She watched as I became a light blue silhouette then sensed me behind her and chuckled softly, pivoting around my side kick then pushed me forward.
"You got pretty close there, well...closer than your last attempt," Nagini taunted, clapping her hands together then chuckled. "My turn."
"What—" I began then grunted as Nagini extended her arm like a snake and grabbed my shirt.
Pulling me toward her, she struck my stomach with a body knee then struck my shoulder with a karate chop to plant my feet to the ground. She struck my chest with an open palm before switching to southpaw and launched a heel kick to my jaw.
I grunted as I fell to the ground, but quickly got back up, yet I couldn't avoid her Flutter Strike, both her jabs striking my face within a second. I shook my head and grit my teeth, stomping my foot down then released a pulse of energy around my body to push Nagini back.
Nagini leaped backwards with a smirk, noticing she was starting to get a breakthrough. "Ahh, that white energy the Izunas possess. Now there's something worth studying."
"Enough of this! Now, I'm going all out! Let's move, Shogi!" I called out, getting down into a running start.
My angelic piece that I named Shogi out of instinct glanced down at me and hummed, closing his eyes with a light smile. He looked over at the massive King piece protecting Naomi and Nanako, noticing His nod of approval.
"Alright, Motosaki.Let's go," Shogi replied, spreading his wings and temporarily promoted to a Knight.
Nagini glanced up at my angelic piece and rose an eyebrow. 'Hm..? Did that pawn just promote without reaching the end of the board?'
"Ready...Go!" I yelled out, leaning forward and lunged forward at high speeds, white lightning crackling around my body as I rushed forward with a speeding superman punch.
Nagini glanced at me, noticing a sudden increase in my speed and dodged my attack then noticed me suddenly change trajectory. I rounded off one hand and launched myself toward Nagini then warped behind her to my sword, launching a Flowing Slash at her back.
Nagini smirked and closed her eyes, an invisible force parrying my slash and recoiling my sword back. "What is this..? Do I sense potential for Super Energy..?"
"Quiet with all this nonsense and begone!" I bellowed, warping in front of her with a thrust of my sword.
Nagini stepped to the side casually to dodge my thrust then cracked her index finger with her thumb, an invisible strike landing upon my stomach and taking me by surprise. Another struck my jaw then a third upon my back to get me onto one knee.
"Motosaki!" Naomi called out with worry, looking over at Nagini and curled her lips with frustration.
I grunted softly as I slowly brought myself up onto my feet. I scoffed with a smirk then began to laugh, looking at Nagini with high intrigue. "What are you..? No wonder my body deems you a threat...I can't understand you at all. Even my current wisdom isn't enough."
"And you find that lack of knowledge joyful?" Nagini asked.
"No, it pisses me off...but I began to understand one thing. You're old. Ancient even...your attacks scream history. And a bit of Old China," I said as I dusted myself off.
'Hm, this kid's Insight told him that much within this little time? Maybe Binah isn't a bad codename for him, I'm impressed...' Nagini thought to herself, not wanting to give me my flowers aloud.
I began tapping my forehead then let out a chuckle, my gaze rising up to Shogi as I began planning mentally. I glanced back at Nagini then snapped my fingers, my lips curling into an insightful smirk. "There's one thing we haven't tried yet...Shogi, let's go back to being pawns!"
Shogi rose an eyebrow at me then glanced at the King piece, noticing the King had grown curious about my plan. Seeing the King nod, Shogi reverted back to a pawn and looked down at me, wondering what I was planning on doing.
Taking on a low ward stance with my sword, I dashed forward then leaped forward with a thrust of my sword. Nagini evaded my attack then watched as a stream of light blue energy moved to her left then I appeared with a downward slice.
"What is he planning..?" Shogi asked, watching me with high interest then looked ahead to see a smaller pawn than him appear upon the board.
My light blue silhouette appeared to Nagini's right and reached out to grab her arm, but she saw it coming and dodged my silhouette. I somersaulted forward over her head then threw a back kick to her face, but she began vibrating her body, causing my attack to phase through her.
Nagini watched as my body became a light blue silhouette once again then launched a jab at her. She tap parried my silhouette's attack then launched an elbow behind her, which I had to slide under then launched a circular slice at her feet.
'This looks different...' Nagini thought to herself, parrying and dodging my Flutter Strike, both of my jabs missing her by an inch. 'He's gotten faster...much faster than that Knight Boost he recieved.'
Nagini launched a counter attack, extending her arm for a reaching jab, but her arm struck my silhouette and caused it to burst into a kaleidoscope of butterflies. 'A decoy...He's doing this all as a base pawn?'
'If I can make her do an illogical movement...I can Freeze her according to the rules of Fluttering. Just one mistake,' I thought to myself as I rushed her with two jabs within a second.
Nagini parried both of my jabs then dodged my wide slash before countering with a liver strike then tapped my chest as I leaned to the side, forcing me into an illogical movement which froze me in place for a second. Nagini smirked at me then vanished from my view as I was able to move again.
I stood still for a moment, carefully inspecting my surroundings. The hairs on the back of my neck began to stand then I pivoted around with a right hook, Nagini's pale green silhouette ducking under my hook as she appeared then countered with a double fist strike to my stomach, a pulse of energy blowing me backwards.
As I flew backwards, my body dispersed into another explosion of butterflies, catching Nagini off guard. She began to feel immense spiritual pressure behind her, her serpentine gaze glancing behind her as she noticed me behind her with my sword in hand.
"Got you!" I called out, slashing downward with all my might.
Nagini smirked at me then pulsed her spiritual energy around her body, her Super Energy throwing me backwards violently as she transformed into her Super Form, her pale green hair becoming a cyan color and her eyes glowing a vibrant green. "Nice try, Detective."
"What the heck is that..?! Her energy is off the charts!" Naomi exclaimed, her body trembling before Nagini's intense spiritual energy.
I grunted as I sat up, looking at Nagini with awe as her Super Energy began to make me second guess myself. I looked up at the spiritual board and noticed the extra pawns that had appeared were tipped over by the white Queen piece with Shogi still standing strong.
"I suspect you used Insight on yourself...which is why you got better at Fluttering. You got fairly close...but not close enough," Nagini said, reverting to her normal form then crossed her arms with a chuckle.
[September 8, 2418 - Saturday, 2:00 PM]
I sat in Nagini's van in the backseat with Naomi as we drove down the highway to Fujitori. Naomi looked out the window with excitement, her eyes sparkling as she noticed a few Valkyrias flying through the air after a Valkyrian Aircraft.
"Are you sure about this, Doctor? Motosaki and his friends are still...regular human beings with spiritual potential. We shouldn't be having them transfer to St. Fraskia," Hisumi said, looking at Nagini from the passenger seat with crossed arms.
"Wait what? You're taking us away from Matsugaya? I thought we were gonna, you know, visit? I did not agree to transfer plus—" I protested then noticed Nagini look at me from the rearview mirror.
"I know, I know. You still have that Matsugaya Music Festival or whatever. That doesn't concern me, but if you're worried about that little gig, I'll let you enjoy the festival. However, you're gonna have to push back your Kabetori raid," Nagini said, letting out a low chuckle.
"Why?" I asked, raising a curious eyebrow.
"For starters, you are not prepared for what the Kabetori Yakuza will do to you. You don't possess a proper battlesuit like your mother or father, nor an Ark. You're just wildly unprepared and because of that, you will be devoured alive," Nagini answered, changing lanes to take an exit into Fujitori.
"And don't worry, I'll move your little harem to Fujitori as well. It's safer for them over here than in Matsugaya, Hojin, and Itakatsu. After all, didn't the Kabetori Yakuza try to seige the Chi-Teck-ii?" Nagini continued, humming softly at me.
I exhaled softly and rubbed the back of my head. "This is all a bit too convenient taken Matsugaya was learning to awaken their spiritual energy. I'm guessing God told you to bring me here?"
"More or less. All I got from Him was, 'Bring him to a higher place', and that's it. The only spiritually higher place in New Japan other than Hajima City is Fujitori. Maybe Nagoya on a good day," Nagini chuckled, driving her van toward a parking lot which sat next to a massive skyscraper.
Each of us stepped out of Nagini's van, Naomi and I looking around at the neon, futuristic city and noticed multiple Valkyrias and Strijders citizens living a casual life. I looked at the skyscraper and noticed it was a SPA HQ, meaning the SPA didn't only have law enforcement.
Hisu stood at the entrance and spoke with a Valkyria by the doorway then looked over at us as we began to approach. "Ahh, Mrs. Noxius. I'm glad you managed to bring my god grandson here. Is there a reason he's already in bandages?"
"So, you know this lady, Granny? This psychotic mad scientist beat the shit out of me and basically said I passed initiation. Didn't know this Strijder business required you to be jumped in like some American Crip gang or something," I said with extreme, and I meant extreme sarcasm.
Nagini laughed softly at my sarcasm. "Yeah, I did that..."
Hisu looked at me and chuckled at my sarcasm then looked at Nagini, raising an eyebrow at her. She let out a sigh then looked over at the Valkyria she was talking with. "Well, I'm glad you all made it in one piece. Mago, I would like you to meet the S Rank Valkyria, Lady Yusa Yuta."
"Aka, my mom," Hisumi added, glancing at me with her hands in her jacket pocket.
I stared at Yusa, finally meeting the legendary Valkyria face to face then hummed softly. "She's the Headmistress of St. Fraskia huh? Is she going to get us into St. Fraskia? Wait, do I need to fight another juiced up Valkyria like the Mad Doctor here?"
"No, you don't have to. I'm not going to subject you to another beatdown, don't worry," Yusa said with an amused chuckle, looking at me with welcoming eyes. "I'll take in your friends as well, that way you all can learn how to properly use your abilities."
I bowed at Yusa respectfully. "It would be an honor to learn from one of the best."
Yusa smiled at me then gestured for us to follow her inside the headquarters. We all walked into the Fujitori SPA HQ, the lobby area filled with similar banners as the one in Matsugaya except more futuristic. Yusa led us to the transporter at the end of the lobby, allowing each of us to step inside the large pod.
With a press of a button, we were all transported to the top floor of the building and began following Yusa inside a meeting room. Inside the meeting room sat a large round table with three people sitting at the table with casual conversation.
The male sitting at the head of the table looked at the doors as it opened, noticing Yusa walking in with the rest of us then rose an eyebrow at me and Naomi. "Who are they?"
The woman with long navy hair styled in a single chinese braid glanced back at us, pushing up her glasses and rose an eyebrow at us before glancing at Nagini. "Nagini, why are you dragging high schoolers in here?"
Nagini smirked at glanced at me and Naomi before looking back at the three at the round table. "These aren't just any old high schoolers. We have the Son of Mikoto and Erik along with a Hajima City Princess. There's nothing ordinary about them."
The man with knee-length gray hair look back at us, opening one of his fuchsia eyes and met my gaze. He studied me for a bit before closing his eye and smiling. "Hm, they seem promising. I assume they are helping to solve this MHI-30 case?"
"More or less. It's just a shame that this case has gotten so bad that we were called to pick up the slack of the inferior rest," Nagini shrugged, walking forward to the table and pulled a chair out to sit down.
I looked over at Yusa and Hisu, raising an eyebrow at them. "Everyone here just has this ancient feeling to them. Especially the guy with his eyes closed. Who are these people?"
"They are the Infinity Council. We work very closely together. Each one actually works for St. Fraskia. The head there is named Alan Kaiwen, Leader of the Infinity Council. The woman with the navy hair is named Liao Ru, No. XII. The calm one is named Shi, No. VIi," Yusa introduced.
"And I am the current No. II, only because I don't want to be the leader. However, if it wasn't for me, we wouldn't be a thing right now," Nagini said, looking back at us with a grin.
"That is unfortunately true," Liao Ru said, letting out an exasperated sigh.
"Infinity Council..? Like the ones from The Chronicles? Wait, these guys were alive since Addis and Eva were kicked from the Garden of Qutsade!" I exclaimed, pointing at the Infinity Council in shock.
"Not all of us. Alan came around in 1140, our old leader had betrayed us for his Overlord lover. There are maybe a few who came into the Council between 1416 to 2018. There are thirteen of us, well fourteen if you count my Lab Rat beside you," Nagini said, her gaze shifting over to Hisumi.
Naomi and I looked at Hisumi, the two of us wondering how old she was given she didn't look no older than us, which we were both 18. Hisumi looked at us then rose an eyebrow.
"I'm from this generation, don't worry. I'm 19 years old," Hisumi said, meeting our confused gazes.
"Oh, okay..." I said, giving Hisumi a cautious side eye and cleared my throat.
Alan watched as Yusa led us to the round table and sat us down, his gaze focused upon me and Naomi with curiosity. "So, you two are joining St. Fraskia to become a Valkyria and Strijder. What do you know about the two groups to have interest in this?"
"If I'm being honest, I was sheltered for majority of my life so I don't know much of anything about Valkyrias and Strijders other than what was taught to us," Naomi answered truthfully.
"My mother and father were a Valkyria and Strijder respectively. I've watched them and my family-friend's clan practice and hone their skills since I was able to see on my own. I want to be like them, truthfully," I answered, giving Alan a determined expression.
"The kid's skills are alright. I've seen it myself, and let's say his abilities are rather...unique," Nagini said, her mind going back to seeing God's Chess for herself. "It reminds me on Kyoto, except she's locked into a Queen Piece."
"Queen Piece? You mean he is able to understand God's Chess? That must mean he's met Genesis and Ragnarok right?" Shi asked, glancing over at Nagini with interest.
"Genesis and Ragnarok?" Naomi and I asked, tilting our heads with confusion.
"You haven't heard of them? They are probably the two most important Angels in Qutsade, Earthly Angels to be specific. Genesis is the Angel of Mercy, a manifestation of God's Mercy. Ragnarok is the Angel of Judgement, a manifestation of God's Wrath," Alan explained then looked down while interlocking his fingers together.
"They haven't come to the mainlands since August stopped Terminus before Shiro's Day. They are currently in Qutsade, but if they should be called by God to come here...that means the situation is more dire than we realize," Alan continued, closing his eyes with a soft exhale.
"And you ask if I met them when you talk like they are the last line of defense. Isn't it already bad that you all, the Infinity Council, was called? I've read that you all don't show up unless the situation can not be handled normally," I questioned, sitting back in my seat and crossed my arms.
"We asked because of God's Chess. Sometimes, a Seraphim Queen or an Archangel King will appear upon the board. If it's the Seraphim Queen, God's Mercy is in play. Everyone makes it out alive most of the time," Liao Ru began, glancing at me as she began explaining.
"If it's the Archangel King, God's Wrath is in play and most times, if you aren't on the right side of the board, everyone is eliminated. Those two pieces are contingent on God Himself as He sees fit," Shi said, adding onto what Liao Ru said.
I hummed softly and shifted in my seat as I processed the information. I looked over at Nagini. "What is God's Chess specifically? Is it explained in The Chronicles?"
Nagini chuckled at my question, twirling a strand of her hair around her finger. "It's actually very hard for me to explain myself, but the basics is this. God's Chess is a spiritual ability that is mainly contingent on God. He decides when the board is in play."
"This in this game of Chess, it's like 10D Chess to our 3D. The roles and pieces are very situational. You've tasted that knowledge yourself with your angelic piece. Whatever piece God has bonded you decides what type of abilities you receive," Nagini finished.
"It shows both His allies and the enemy's allies. It's a game between God and the adversary. There are white-angelic pieces, gray neutral pieces, the fence-sitters, and finally the black pieces, the pieces that belong to The Adversary," Alan added on.
Hisu took a sip of her tea and sighed softly. "The gray ones are able to be converted. Black pieces can only be converted by God, so don't try using your own strength to convert them. It is better to defeat them than to talk with stone hearts."
"Not every rock will cry out to the Lord, just how not every gray piece is God-leaning. Gray pieces require discernment and righteous judgement," Hisu finished, setting down her tea cup.
"This is all very confusing...and a lot to take in," Naomi sighed, laying her head down and closed her eyes.
"I agree, but I do think I understand parts of it. I've seen the movements myself, and how my abilities and the board works together," I said with a light hum.
Yusa glanced at me, watching me think and smiled at me. "Has anyone told you that you look like Erik?"
I paused for a moment then glanced at Yusa, meeting her gaze with slight confusion. "You know my father by name as well?"
"Yes, I do. Before starting St. Fraskia, I was close friends with Erik and Mikoto. I worked with them. It's just very surreal to be sitting with the last evidence of their presence here," Yusa answered then stood up from her seat.
"We will get justice for Mikoto, Erik, Nanako, and the rest of the investigators who died trying to bring justice to Jeht," Yusa said with high optimism.
"For 30 years, we've been trying to do things the civil and lawful way, but after what we've learned. We need extra manpower. There's nowhere else to turn but to the Valkyrias and Strijders," Hisu said, looking up at me.
"What about the Yukuza who are also helping us? The Chi-Teck-ii, Hounds, and White Wolves should be able to have some leeway. I don't want them being caught in this kind of crossfire," I questioned.
"Don't worry, they will be safe under our jurisdiction. As long as they don't commit any felonies that would get them arrested. I'm willing to turn a blind eye so small petty crimes like soliciting and misdemeanors, however their usual Yakuza activities are prohibited for this alliance to work," Yusa agreed, nodding at me.
"What exactly defines petty crimes?" Naomi asked, sitting up in her seat.
"You know, stuff like jaywalking, vandalism, petty theft of under $1,000, trespassing, disturbing peace, simple possession. Small things like that," I explained.
"I remember my first petty crime during my time in Judgement," Hisumi began, chuckling at herself as she began looking back into her memory. "I think I took an apple trapped in ice which I thought was cool. They called the police on me for something that was worth mere pennies."
"Oh yeah, I remember that... The policeman said, 'This is an extremely petty crime. Actually, it's petty that you even called us for this'. You still had to pay them back a quarter, which is in itself extremely petty," Yusa said, shaking her head with a scoffing laugh.
I looked at Hisumi and rose an eyebrow. "You were part of the Judgement Organization? Aren't they kinda working with the Matos right now?"
"Yep," Nagini said, her gaze growing more serious. "Everyone has this misconstrued idea of what Judgement was because when I first died in 1003 in Siberia, an Overlord took over my organization and corrupted their values."
"What values?" I asked, raising an eyebrow at Nagini.
"The wages against Humanity is punishable by Death. I didn't create the Judgement Organization to be some merciful woman. Judgement operated as a response to the evils of this world, back when the world was truly completely wicked again," Nagini answered.
"This was during a time Nagini was the most arrogant, after she had discovered Hyper Energy. However, despite her arrogance, she was right to make Judgement as our old leader was working with the Overlords. If anything, her own arrogance led to her death in Siberia because she chose to go there alone," Liao Ru said, glancing at Nagini as if the event happened yesterday.
"And that arrogance got our Angel of Discipline sealed away," Shi said with a soft exhale.
"What the hell..? Why do I even bother commenting at this point knowing I'm lost as a bat right now," Naomi sighed, slouching in her seat and looked at me.
I rose an eyebrow and glanced at Naomi. "Shii, I'm lost too. I stopped listening after she mentioned 1003."
"You galloping cretin, I'm trauma dumping here and you're just half listening?!" Nagini scoffed, staring at me with slight disbelief.
"Listen... I'm 18 and the most I can currently handle is this very case. If I'm being honest, I couldn't care less about this history lesson. All I want to know is how will we prove Jeht is Senkaku to finally end this war?" I asked, looking at the Infinity Council and sat back in my seat.
"You break his mask," Alan answered, looking at me with a cynical expression. "You unmask Senkaku and reveal Jeht, however..."
"I know. Jeht has access to The Border, a Truth Manipulating Valkyria, and vast connections. That's why I'm concerned on what we should do. If becoming a Strijder is the path, what's the real issue here?" I asked, my gaze shifting over to Hisu.
Hisu looked at me then glanced over at Naomi. "Nanako is what's stopping us. We have to find her. There's something I haven't been completely honest with you all about. Jeht 100% brought harm to Nanako, but he took her body with him."
"What?" Naomi asked, leaning forward to look at Hisu.
"Do you all truly believe a Valkyria like Nanako is better off dead or alive? You have living proof of what Judgement experimentation will do to someone," Hisu said, gesturing over to Hisumi.
Hisumi grumbled softly and lowered her head, sighing at the memories of her with the Judgement Organization. "My codename was Omega. There are clones of me being made constantly, and we at St. Fraskia suspect the same is happening with Nanako."
I stared at Hisu then began thinking back to my conversation with Amon. "So I wasn't completely wrong..?"
"You might have just had incomplete information, but if I know anything about the current state of Judgement, they love people with strong spiritual energy. They are extremely advanced in their procedures," Nagini said.
"Procedures? Like what?" I asked with curiosity.
"They are able to use Spirit Manipulation. Disembodiment Inducement. Nanako is a Doppelgeist, an Attachment variation. Nanako isn't dead, but she isn't active either. But, you've already seen it," Nagini answered.
"I am not a Doppelgeist! I am me! Nothing else!" Naomi blurted, Nanako's voice bleeding through very clearly then she stood up. "And what do you mean that my body is missing?"
Everyone glanced at Naomi, noticing her sudden burst of energy as her eyes shone a magenta glow. They watched as Naomi placed her hand upon her chest like an actual noble princess, the exact mannerisms Nanako would use.
"I am right here! So why? Why has it taken 30 years for you all to figure out Jeht killed me? Miss Fugigami, why did you lie to everyone and close my case?!" Naomi fussed, Nanako's distinct voice becoming even more clear with frustration.
Hisu stared at Naomi for a moment then looked away with slight guilt. "So, you've been possessing people this entire time?"
"Wait, you mean to tell us that this girl has Nanako's spirit with her? Is she some kind of new vessel for her?" Shi asked, looking up at Naomi with his right eye opened.
"What? No! I can act independently if I want, like this!" Naomi began then groaned as she felt weak and fell back into her seat, holding her head.
I watched as the light green silhouette began walking around the round table then picked up Shi's water bottle and launched it across the room. Everyone looked at the water bottle fly across the room and hit the wall, yet no one was standing near to Shi.
Nagini smirked and chuckled softly. "And yet, you say you aren't a Doppelgeist. You can act independently from your human body, that's textbook disembodied spirit."
The light green silhouette looked over at me then back at Nagini before returning to Naomi and shrouded herself. I hummed softly, believing Nagini's answers might've made Nanako realize something she didn't want to acknowledge.
[September 8, 2418 - Saturday, 3:00 PM]
I walked out of the Fujitori SPA HQ and sighed softly, my mind processing everything that was said in the meeting. I looked at Naomi, noticing her mood was now low after the meeting then glanced up at the sky.
"Do you believe what they said? That I am a Doppelgeist? Is that even a thing?" Nanako asked through Naomi, her gaze meeting mine with a hint of sadness.
"I can't say that I don't believe their words. After all, they have vastly more experience than we do in this. But, you have to see where they are coming from," I said, slipping my hands into my pockets and lowered my head.
"It's just not fair! This is the only way I can talk to you all, through another girl's body! I can't...talk while outside of a vessel unless I'm in the Border and I don't want to go back there!" Nanako cried out, Naomi grabbing my arm and looking up at me with pleading eyes.
"At some point...you will have to. However...we have to clear your name first," I said, looking over at Naomi and placed my hand upon hers. "After all, you are still named The Tomodachi Curse, everyone who doesn't know much about the MHI-30 believes you killed the Investigators."
"What?! I did not do any of that! I might've reached my breaking point over and over, but that's because everyone keeps letting Jeht escape! I've been following over 30 women for the last 30 years, each one—"
"You've reached Level 10 Obsession Levels multiple times as well because everyone keeps breaking your second rule. Don't exorcise you until you've been appeased, but...what will appease you?" I asked, looking at Nanako through Naomi's eyes.
Naomi lowered her head and let out a soft sigh, her hold on my arm weakening. "I don't know...I don't know what will make me truly happy anymore besides you..."
I looked back up at the sky with a soft exhale, closing my eyes as I began to think. "What if I can reunite you with White Ø?"
Naomi looked up at me quickly, her eyes flashing at the name White Ø. "White...White Ø..? He's still alive?"
I nodded and looked at Naomi. "He's still alive and currently with your sister. It's a start and I know it won't be enough to bring you to peace, but at least you can reunite with your family."
"Yes! Take me to him and Shokyo-chan~! I wanna go see them!" Nanako said through Naomi with pure excitement, her light green silhouette becoming a sky blue color.
I smiled back at Nanako's excitement then took my phone out to call Hanma to pick us up. "Hello? Yeah, we need a ride back to Hajima City if you're free. Alright, see you when you get here..."